Sidec’s AI & semiconductor summit 2026, happening Oct 14-17

[This is a sponsored article written in collaboration with Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec).]

The world is getting hungrier for more chips, and no, not the crispy kind you get at the supermarket. 

With AI fueling the chip demand, Deloitte projects the global chip marketing will hit US$975 billion in annual sales this year. And Malaysia already has our cards in it. In fact, we rank as the sixth largest semiconductor exporter in the world, handling roughly 13% of global ATP (assembly, testing, and packaging) capacity.

Yet, there’s a crucial gap that has to be addressed for us to continue being a prominent semiconductor player. 

Just earlier this year, PwC reported that local universities are producing 5,000 graduates annually in the semiconductor industry. But we actually need around 10x more homegrown talents to move up the semiconductor value chain.

This is where AiSEM@Selangor, or better known by its former name SDEC, comes in. This October 14 to 17, the annual summit will return at KLCC and Grand Hyatt KL as one of the flagship components of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026.

Here is what’s happening across the four days and how you can get involved.

Why did SDEC rebrand to AiSEM@Selangor & why does it matter?

For the past decade, SDEC served as Selangor’s smart city and e-commerce platform, featuring forums, exhibitions, and awards for the region’s top digital players.

Now that Al and semiconductors has increasingly become a vital aspect in Selangor’s digital economy, Sidec has rebranded the event to AiSEM@Selangor to match the region’s evolving technology landscape.

Name change aside, AiSEM@Selangor continues SDEC’s legacy of promoting technological innovation and providing a platform for industry players. But with a stronger focus on AI and semiconductors this time.

This year’s theme is “Designed By Malaysia: Building a Globally Competitive AI Semiconductor Ecosystem” and the scale remains as substantial as ever: 15,000 visitors, over 150 exhibitor booths, and two flagship conferences.

Globally esteemed leaders will be sharing their industry insights, including names such as:

Sharing the stage with them are some of our very own Malaysian chip companies—QES Group Berhad, Oppstar Berhad, Alphaswift Industries, SkyeChip Berhad, Infinecs Systems, and SiliconX.

The homegrown chips taking centre stage 

For years, Malaysia’s semiconductor reputation has rested on the back end — assembly, testing, and packaging chips designed somewhere else. That’s still true, and it’s still valuable but our nation has since grown to contribute more than that.

At AiSEM@Selangor, six Malaysian companies are stepping up to prove it, in a showcase aptly named Design by Malaysia: Meet the Six Homegrown Chips that’s happening on Day 3. 

Each will take the stage to present technology that’s designed or developed entirely in-house:

1. HBM3E Controller by SkyeChip
2. AI PC and Server by MaiStorage
3. Malaysia and Southeast Asia’s First FPGA Chip by SiliconX
4. Maxwell Automotive Grade Low Dropout Regulators by Infinecs
5. Space ASIC by Weeroc
6. Alphaswift FC Mini by Alphaswift Industrie

From memory controllers and AI computing to automotive electronics, space technology, and drones, the lineup spans a broad range of applications. They’re also a reminder that Malaysia’s semiconductor story isn’t just about what happens on the factory floor anymore.

It’s worth carving out time for, especially if you’ve been hearing about Malaysia’s semiconductor industry mostly in terms of ATP. This gives you a look into the other side of the semiconductor story that’s brewing locally.

Day 1 (October 14) at Plenary Theatre, KLCC: Startup pitches before the talks even begin

In the tradition of SDEC, AiSEM@Selangor doesn’t start with talks. Instead, you’ll get front row seats to the Selangor Triple Accelerator Programme Grand Final Demo Day.

Participants of three Sidec accelerator tracks—Retail-X, Deep-X, and Token-X—will pitch their solutions to investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders. The top eight companies from each of these accelerators will compete for top honours, including further exposure to industry players, mentorship, funding access, and market expansion support.

For context, in the eight years since its launch, the programme has run 11 cohorts, drawn nearly 1,900 applications, and helped 380 companies raise RM212 million in funding collectively. 

With that kind of track record, there’s plenty to look forward to as the latest batch of startups takes the stage for the Grand Final Demo Day!

Day 2 (October 15) at Grand Hyatt KL: All things semiconductor

On the second day, the summit moves to Grand Hyatt KL for the Semiconductor Conference, where over 20 speakers will dig into supply chain resilience, global partnerships, and funding pathways for chip startups. 

The second day’s panels will cover:

Day 3 (October 16) at Grand Hyatt KL: All things AI

Continuing at Grand Hyatt KL, the summit’s lens will shift from chips to the AI systems running on them at the AI Conference.

You’ll get to learn from Robert Li on how AI-powered EDA tools are transforming semiconductor innovation, and how to harness AWS and agentic AI for next-generation semiconductors from Umar Shah. 

Here’s what else is on the agenda:

All four days (October 14 to 17): Discover new technologies and careers

While the conferences run at Grand Hyatt, KLCC will be equally bustling with the AiSEM Exhibition & Showcase. 

150 companies are set to exhibit their technologies, from global chipmakers like Intel and Sandisk, to Malaysian players like Oppstar and SkyeChip. Alongside them will be agencies such as MIDA, MRANTI, and several Selangor local councils.

Beyond the booths, Sidec is providing a comprehensive summit ecosystem for industry players to learn and grow together. You’ll be treated to:

• Startup Street, a dedicated zone for early-stage companies 
• Investor Lounge and Business Matching, structured spaces for funding conversations and networking, with a special opportunity to link up with delegations from Japan and the UK
• Autonomous Showcase, where robotics, drones, and intelligent mobility technologies are put on display
• ChampionCHIP eXperience Competition Demo Day, grand finale of the high-energy integrated circuit (IC) design competition

Running alongside it is the Malaysia Semiconductor Recruitment Day, which is Sidec’s most direct shot at the 10x talent gap mentioned. Here, 35 semiconductor companies meet engineering and technical talent face-to-face, no cover letter required.

The employer list spans multinationals and local firms alike: Intel, Sandisk, STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, Melexis, X-FAB, Tektronix, Toppan, Altera, Greatech Technology, SkyeChip, MaiStorage, Infinecs, Alphaswift, Weeroc, Oppstar, Sophic, and more.

Oh, and did we mention it’s free entry?

Where this fits into Malaysia’s bigger plan

AiSEM@Selangor lands just months after Malaysia launched the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030, the country’s blueprint for becoming an “AI Nation”. With it carries ambitious goals of becoming among the top 10 countries on the Global AI Index and 300,000 new AI-related jobs by the end of the decade.

The event’s theme, “Advancing Malaysia’s Intelligent Future”, reflects that broader ambition, bringing together the people and businesses working to move the country’s technology ecosystem forward.

Whether you’re looking for your next career opportunity, hoping to pitch your startup, or keen to connect with industry players, this is one event you should not pass up.

Tickets are available here. Conference passes are RM399 for a 2-day all-access pass, or RM299 for a single day. Early bird and other discounts may apply. 

• Learn more about Sidec and AiSEM@Selangor here.